The Importance of Being Earnest and Other Plays

Танагрские статуэтки — наиболее распространённый тип древнегреческих терракотовых статуэток эпохи эллинизма, отражающих обыденную жизнь античного дома и быт семьи.

…я никого здесь не вижу, кто мог бы стать серьезной целью в жизни. Этот господин, что вел меня к столу, все время говорил о своей жене.

Не понимаю, зачем я к ним езжу. Не понимаю, зачем я вообще куда-нибудь езжу.

When I am in trouble, eating is the only thing that consoles me. Indeed, when I am in really great trouble, as anyone who knows me intimately will tell you, I refuse everything except food and drink. At the present moment I am eating muffins because I am unhappy. Besides, I am particularly fond of muffins.

Gwendolen Five counties! I don’t think I should like that; I hate crowds.
Сecily Sweetly. I suppose that is why you live in town?

Uncle Jack is sending you to Australia.
Algernon Australia! I’d sooner die.
Cecily Well, he said at dinner on Wednesday night, that you would have to choose between this world, the next world, and Australia.

Algernon I hope tomorrow will be a fine day, Lane.
Lane It never is, sir.
Algernon Lane, you’re a perfect pessimist.
Lane I do my best to give satisfaction, sir.

Algernon What shall we do after dinner? Go to a theatre?
Jack Oh no! I loathe listening.
Algernon Well, let us go to the Club?
Jack Oh, no! I hate talking.
Algernon Well, we might trot round to the Empire at ten?
Jack Oh, no! I can’t bear looking at things. It is so silly.
Algernon Well, what shall we do?
Jack Nothing!

To lose one parent, Mr. Worthing, may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness.

When you do become engaged to someone, I, or your father, should his health permit him, will inform you of the fact. An engagement should come on a young girl as a surprise, pleasant or unpleasant, as the case may be. It is hardly a matter that she could be allowed to arrange for herself …